CURRENT SITUATION: "Instability in Kachin and Shan States restarted in early June 2011 and resulted in the displacement of populations, loss of lives and livelihoods and dam-ages to infrastructure. Following a Government invi-tation, an inter-agency rapid needs assessment was conducted from 20-26 September in 39 locations in some IDPs sites (camps, host families, public build-ings) of five townships (Bhamo, Momauk, Myitky-ina, Khaunglanhpu and Waingmaw) targeting 5,925 IDPs. Two townships Mansi and Shwegu could not be assessed due to security concerns.

Land Tenure Working Paper 20. This paper presents an analysis of communal tenure and its role for natural resource management system, in different contexts of selected Asian countries. The current market driven pressures on natural resources create both challenges and opportunities for communities and governments to use and strengthen communal tenure in order to promote sustainable management of some natural resources.

Selon leur définition par les États Membres de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO), les objectifs fondamentaux de l’Organisation sont «d’améliorer les niveaux de nutrition, la productivité agricole et la qualité de vie des populations rurales et contribuer à l’essor de l’économie mondiale.» En tant qu’organisme spécialisé des Nations Unies, la FAO a un rôle essentiel à jouer pour la promotion d’une plus grande sécurité alimentaire et la réduction de la pauvreté.

Documento de trabajo sobre la tenencia de la tierra 20. Este documento analiza las características del régimen comunal y su función en el sistema de gestión de los recursos naturales en diferentes contextos de algunos países asiáticos. Las presiones actuales del mercado sobre los recursos naturales suponen ya sea desafíos que oportunidades para que las comunidades y los gobiernos utilicen y refuerzen el régimen comunal para promover la gestión sostenible de algunos recursos naturales.

Los pueblos indígenas1 deben ser considerados como una parte interesada imprescindible en un programa de desarrollo configurado por un mandato de este tipo. Estimaciones recientes indican que, aunque los pueblos indígenas constituyen aproximadamente el 5 % de la población total del mundo, comprenden alrededor del 15 % de la población pobre mundial2. Las adversidades afrontadas por los pueblos indígenas han aumentado en las últimas décadas, aunque también lo ha hecho el reconocimiento de su capacidad para contribuir al desarrollo sostenible y la ordenación de los recursos naturales.

Document de travail sur les régimes fonciers 20. Ce document analyse les caractéristiques des systèmes de propriété communale dans divers pays d’Asie. Les pressions actuelles du marché sur les ressources naturelles créent à la fois des défis et des opportunités pour les communautés et pour les gouvernements en vue d’utiliser et de renforcer les systèmes de propriété commune pour promouvoir la gestion durable des ressources naturelles. Des politiques et des institutions ad hoc sont nécessaires pour promouvoir la redevabilité des acteurs et la bonne gouvernance de ces ressources.

The Philippines has made significant progress in empowering women and in advancing gender equality. The government's policy on gender equality and women's empowerment has prioritized women's economic empowerment, advancing human rights and enhancing gender-responsive local governance. All these priority concerns are integral components of poverty reduction programs in the Philippines. The Philippines has made significant progress in empowering women and in advancing gender equality.

The Burma Army has killed a villager and over 20 villages have fled attacks and mortar fire in Momauk Township, Kachin State. Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 73 under Division 88 has been attacking villages, with troops from Divisions 33, 44, 66 also entering the area. At least 400 Burma Army soldiers have been involved in the attacks, using 120mm and 60mm mortars and machine guns. Fighting in the area has increased and the Burma Army is building at least four new camps, using forced labor. Over 3,000 people have been displaced.

The Burmese military government, together with
the government of India, is planning to build a giant
hydroelectric dam near Tamanthi on the Chindwin River
in northwest Burma’s Sagaing Division. The dam’s fl ood
reservoir will be almost 1,400 sq km, the size of Delhi, and
will permanently displace over 45,000 people, including
the entire town of Khamti. Already over 2,400 people have
been relocated at gunpoint from the dam site, without fair
compensation.
The Tamanthi dam will adversely affect the biodiversity

Burmese troops burned down around 50 homes in a village in eastern Kachin state two days ago as they prepare for an offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), despite assertions from fleeing residents that no rebels inhabit the village.

In response, the KIA has told locals living in areas close to the town of Waingmaw to leave, prompting some 3,000 people to join those who fled the razed Aungja village as they make for the border with China.

• The instability in Kachin State that started in early June 2011 has resulted in the displacement of
populations, loss of livelihoods and damages to infrastructure...
• The recently-completed joint assessment in 39 locations in Kachin State reveals urgent needs in several
sectors, including food, education, shelter, health, NFIs and water and sanitation...
• Access and delivery of assistance remain challenging

This report includes a situation update submitted to KHRG in September 2011 by a villager describing events occurring in Pa'an District between June 2011 and August 2011. It details recent Tatmadaw and Tatmadaw Border Guard activity, including camp locations and troop strength, and incidents related to a forced relocation order issued to eight villages in Lu Pleh Township by Tatmadaw Border Guard units on July 15th 2011.